The Indian police in the state of Madhya Pradesh have seized a three-man believed to be part of global network which allegedly operated from Kuwait to promote and sell child pornography (images and videos) through WhatsApp network.

The reports, published by Indian electronic media, quoted the Inspector-General of Police for the E-Crimes Unit of the state, Jitendra Singh as saying the suspects are residents of Madhya Pradesh.

One of them is studying in Grade 12. Investigations revealed the trio is affiliated to a network which operates under the name ‘sex for children only’) and have about 260 members in at least 28 countries around the world — Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Canada, Myanmar, Vietnam, Uganda and Algeria.

They allegedly operate through WhatsApp account linked to a Kuwaiti mobile number. “At the time of arrest we discovered the network was run from Kuwait through a mobile phone number,” Singh said. “It is known that the administrators of such networks are constantly moving from place to place, and said it is not unlikely that they had fled from Kuwait,” he added.

The report quoting Singh said preliminary investigations have revealed that the administrator of the network currently resides in Kuwait, resident of the Indian state of Gujarat.

The two other members of the gang arrested are a 24-year-old electrical engineer and a 43-year-old home appliances dealer. Singh said the three suspects will be indicted under the provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).) Investigations are continuing to seek further information on the network.